Latest news with #BillionDollarPlayground
News.com.au
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Hot new Aussie series Billion Dollar Playground premieres with tense scenes: ‘How f***ing dare she'
Real estate shows are a dime a dozen in today's reality TV landscape, but one promises to stand out from the rest. BINGE 's new Original Series Billion Dollar Playground premieres today and offers a look inside real-life luxury holiday rental company Luxico and its staff of elite service experts consisting of concierges, chefs, butlers and housekeepers. Unlike other 'property porn' shows, on BDP the mega-mansions are just the bait with the hook being the drama that unfolds between the service staff as they attempt to deliver unforgettable stays for their wealthy guests. Lead concierge Salvatore, fellow concierges Heaven and Jasmin, butler JB, housekeeper Elsie, trainee Nicole, tradesman Jay, and chefs and siblings Matt and George, put on a united front for the guests, but behind the scenes it's not exactly smooth sailing. Just like any workplace there is pressure, tension, ambition, rivalry and potential romance so there is no shortage of high-end drama. Stream Billion Dollar Playground on BINGE, available on Hubbl. 'I would never even think of being on other reality television shows because … I'm just going to say that ours has heart,' Heaven, Luxico's second-in-command concierge, told us ahead of today's premiere. 'Anything that I involve myself in, it has to have heart. It has to be about real human connection. It has to have real emotions and dynamics. I understand there's an added layer of being filmed. But I want to stay true to who I am in any environment. And this show this does that for me. I honestly don't know about other reality shows. I just know this is real.' George, who is the resident hot chef along with his brother Matt, agrees that BDP tells it like it is. He points out that the elite crew were not cast in the series – these were their existing jobs therefore viewers can expect to see the 'real, raw stuff'. 'Everyone has access to the cinematic versions. They can see all the pretty stuff, the perfect tableware, the perfectly cooked stake,' George, who has cooked for the wealthy around the world, told us. 'But as we all know, that's not where the juice is. It's all behind the scenes.' Indeed, the first episode sees drama unfold between head concierge Salvatore and Heaven, who clash over a dining event at Luna Park. In Salvatore's eyes, Heaven did not run the show to his standards – and he lets her know it. 'Lift the game up, you're dropping the ball,' he tells her the following morning. 'I don't agree with that. This is sounding really bossy now,' she replies, to which he snaps, 'I am a boss! I'm not going to have this conversation.' He storms off in a huff and tells the other staff that Heaven can 'go f**k herself'. 'I don't need this aggravation in my life. How f***ing dare she. I'm not tolerating this,' he added. Heaven remained unbothered throughout and told that she was disappointed with what transpired with Salvatore. 'I was so excited to learn from him. This man has a wealth of experience and he comes in like, he's a king, he's a boss. I felt there was this competitiveness with him,' she says of her boss, who has worked with celebrities and royals during his decades-long career. 'My job is to impress the guests to make sure that they're happy to put them first. And so if my own supervisor is telling me as a concierge to stay away from the guests, what does that say about what his real intentions are? Is he actually trying to uplift his staff to be the best that we can be? 'I didn't experience that with him, and it's really unfortunate because I was so excited. He talks more about himself. I was ready for him to show up, and I didn't see that happen.' Luckily for the staff, the guests were none the wiser to the drama behind the scenes as their every whim was catered to. In the premiere episode, a fabulous guest named Athanasia brings along her prized poddle, Saki, for a short stay with her girlfriends at a $40 million home in Sydney's Rose Bay. Only problem is, there is a strict no-pets rule at the waterfront mansion that the group were unaware of. After arrangements are made for the dog to stay in exchange for a hefty $1000 cleaning fee, the staff then have the task of cooking a gourmet meal for the little pup. 'Is Saki going to be fed?' Athanasia asks the team. When asked what Saki eats, she playfully replies, 'I'm Greek, we eat lamb.' Athanasia has since praised the service staff for taking good care of herself and Saki, telling 'They very accommodating, polite, professional and went beyond my expectations to accommodate Saki and I. Even had a beautiful dog nanny to look after Saki while we partied at Luna Park.'
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Forensic Files' Gets AI High-Def Update From FilmRise
FilmRise, a New York-based film and TV studio and streaming network, has announced the launch of a groundbreaking initiative to update the visual quality of its content by utilizing a mix of AI software and human editorial know-how. Employing this new blend, the company has converted the hugely popular true crime series 'Forensic Files' into high definition. The upscaled episodes will be available across multiple streaming platforms as FilmRise pushes to further enhance the viewer experience for its popular brands. More from Variety TV4 Sweden and MTV Finland to Change Hands From Telia to Schibsted Media Australian Docu-Soap 'Billion Dollar Playground' Acquired by Several Major Broadcasters London TV Screenings: What Buyers Really Want, According to France Télévisions, ZDF Studios, TV4 Media and Atresmedia 'This new initiative embodies FilmRise's core mission to enhance the viewer experience for both our audiences and our streaming partners,' said CEO Danny Fisher. 'We are committed to continually improving the quality of the programs we acquire and distribute, catering to both consumer audiences and our streaming partners.' The 'Forensic Files' upgrade follows FilmRise's long-term partnership with Content Partners LLC, the show's IP holder. The series, which boasts a massive fanbase and global popularity, has now been remastered in HD across 12 seasons and 326 episodes, offering viewers an entirely updated viewing experience. The episodes are currently streaming on platforms such as The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, Tubi and more. FilmRise's AI-driven solution was developed by the company's technology team, led by Chief Technology Officer Thibault Hermenault. The process blends advanced AI tools with the expertise of FilmRise's in-house editorial team, resulting in a rapid yet meticulous upconversion of older content. 'The new AI tools available are incredibly exciting and enable us to bring the restoration process in-house,' Hermenault explained. 'Our hybrid process allows us to upconvert older content quicker and cost-effectively without losing the human touch, ensuring that audiences can truly appreciate the difference.' Scott Hemming, Executive Vice President at Content Partners, echoed the excitement surrounding the remaster: 'At Content Partners, we are committed to preserving and enhancing the legacy of iconic film and television content, and FilmRise has been an invaluable partner in that mission. Their innovative approach to AI-driven restoration ensures that 'Forensic Files' continues to captivate audiences in the best possible quality,' he said. In addition to 'Forensic Files,' FilmRise has plans to extend this AI-driven process to other titles in its vast library, which includes over 30,000 movies and TV episodes. FilmRise continues to explore partnerships that expand the scope of its HD offerings, such as its 4K remaster of the indie classic 'Party Girl' and its acquisition of 'Death Valley Days' in HD. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
